Apparatus for setting packers in well bores



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March 13, 1962 APPARATUS FOR SETTING PACKERS IN WELL BORES Filed Oct. 1, 1957 Fine, 1

M. B. CONRAD Hale,

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

M4977 B. (o/V1940 gnaw/5x5.

March 13, 1962 M. B. CONRAD APPARATUS FOR SETTING PACKERS IN WELL BORES 5 6 6 Z WZZ m 2 5 A O E E t A 5MWM M e "A. w l 2% W h 7. 0 9 8 M f 1 J a w a y 3 A w a 1 F A? i 7 M w M /Amv Y J 6. E g. M 2/97/77 3% d m t a March 13, 1962 M. B. CONRAD APPARATUS FOR SETTING PACKERS IN WELL BORES 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Oct. 1, 1957 .EEEEE:

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March 13, 1962 M. B. CONRAD 3,024,845

APPARATUS FOR SETTING PACKERS IN WELL BORES Filed Oct. 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 w 7 WA- I NVENTOR.

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APPARATUS FOR SETTING PACKERS IN WELL BORES Filed Oct. 1, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 M Hi 1/;

N ENTOR. MQ/QT/A/ Cal/r640 United States Patent 3,024,845 APPARATUS FOR SETTING PACKERS IN WELL BORES Martin B. Conrad, Downey, Calif., assignor to Baker Oil Tools, Inc., Los Angeles, Calif., a corporation of California Filed Oct. 1, 1957, Ser. No. 687,404 20 Claims. (Cl. 166-123) The present invention relates to subsurface well apparatus, and more particularly to apparatus for setting packers, such as bridge plugs, in well casings, liners, and similar conduits in a well bore.

Substantial rig time can be saved in running and setting a well packer in a well bore through the use of wire line equipment. Where setting of the packer is controlled electrically, an expensive electric line is required, as well as costly surface equipment used in connection therewith. When the wire line is non-electric, such as a sand line, it has been diflicult to impose sufficient setting force on the packer without subjecting the wire line to undue strains.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide wire line operated apparatus for properly setting a well packer, or the like, in a well bore without requiring the use of electrically conductive lines and without subjecting the wire line to high strains.

Another object of the invention is to provide wire line operated apparatus for setting a well packer in a well bore through the aid of a non-conductive wire line, in which the packer and the wire line operated apparatus can be removed from the well bore at any time prior to actual setting of the well packer.

A further object of the invention is to provide wire line operated apparatus for setting a well packer in a well bore, which is relatively economical to manufacture and easier to maintain in proper operating condition.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of a form in which it may be embodied. This form is shown in the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification. It will now be described in detail, for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that such detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURES l and 1a together constitute a side elevational view of an apparatus embodying the invention disposed in a well casing, with the parts in condition for moving the apparatus in the well casing, FIG. la: constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic'view of the control track or slot and pin for determining operation of the apparatus in the well casing;

FIGS. 3, 3a and 3b together constitute a longitudinal section through well apparatus disposed in a well casing, drawn on an enlarged scale, with the parts in the relative positions disclosed in FIGS. 1 and la, FIG. 3a constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 3, and FIG. 3b constituting a lower continuation of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal section of the lower portion of the apparatus disposed in the well casing and conditioned for setting of the well packer in the well casing;

FIGS. 5, 5a and 5b together constitute a longitudinal section corresponding to FIGS. 3, 3a and 3b, respectively, illustrating the condition of the apparatus after setting of the well packer in the well casing and release of the setting tool therefrom;

FIG. 6 is a cross-section on an enlarged scale taken along the line 6-6 on FIG. 3;

See

FIG. 7 is a cross-section on an enlarged scale taken along the line 7-7 on FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section on an enlarged scale taken along the line 8-8 on FIG. 3a;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section on an enlarged scale taken along the line 9-9 on FIG. 3a;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section on an enlarged scale taken along the line 10-10 on FIG. 3b;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary longitudinal section on an enlarged scale illustrating a portion of the jarring mechanism, the mechanism being in a set condition;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 illustrating the portion "of the jarring mechanism in a released condition;

FIG. 13 is a view similar to FIG. 11 illustrating the portion of the jarring mechanism in an initial stage of its resetting;

FIG. 14 is a view similar to FIG. 11 illustrating the portion of the jarring mechanism in a reset or relatched condition preparatory to being held in such condition.

The apparatus illustrated in the drawings is designed primarily for setting a well packer, such as a bridge plug A, in a well casing B. The bridge plug is lowered in the well casing by means of a running-in string, such as a wire line C, connected to the upper end of a setting tool or mechanism, which is, in turn, releasably connected to the bridge plug. The setting mechanism itself includes a control and setting unit or apparatus D releasably attached to the bridge plug A, this control and setting unit, in turn, being secured to a wire line jar E which supplies the motivating force for setting the bridge plug. The wire line jar E, in turn, is secured to a sinker bar F releasably attached to a wire line or rope socket G, to which the lower end of the wire line C is firmly attached.

The well packer A, disclosed herein as a bridge plug, may assume any desired form. As illustrated, it includes a tubular central body 10 having a lower guide 11 secured thereto. A set of lower segmental slips 12 rest upon the lower flange 13 of the body, these slips having inner surfaces 14 tapering in a downward and inward direction coacting with a corresponding tapered surface 15 on a lower expander 16 releasably and slidably mounted with respect to the body. The lower slips 12 are releasably secured to the lower expander 16 by shear screws 17, whereas the lower expander is releasably secured to the body 10 by one or more shear screws 18. A packing sleeve 19 surrounds the body, its lower end engaging or being secured to the lower expander 16, and its upper end engaging or being secured to an upper expander 20 releasably secured to the body by one or more shears 21 and slidable relative thereto following disruption of such shear screws. This upper expander 20 has an outer expander surface 22 tapering in an upward and inward direction and engageable with companion inner tapered surfaces 23 on separate upper segmental slips 24, which are initially secured in retracted position to the upper expander by shear screws 25.

The well packer A is set by moving the body 10 of the tool upwardly within the parts that surround it, the upward movement of the upper slips 24 being prevented by the control and setting mechanism D. Sulficient upward force exerted on the body, in the manner described hereinbelow, will cause the upper slip screws 25 to be disrupted, the lower slips 12, lower expander 16, packing sleeve 19 and upper expander 20 moving u wardly with the body to wedge the upper expander 20 behind the upper slips 24 and shift the latter radially outward into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B. A continuation of the upward force on the body will then shear the screws 21 and move the lower expander 16 toward the upper expander 20, foreshortening the packing sleeve 19 and expanding it laterally into firm sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing and the periphery of the body itself. Further upward movement of the body will then disrupt the screws 18, 17 holding the lower expander 16 to the body and the lower slips 12 to the lower expander, causing the slips 12 to shift upwardly along the lower expander 16 and radially outward into anchoring engagement with the well casing.

A suflicient upward force is exerted on the body 10 to insure the firm compression of the packing sleeve 19 between the expander 20, 16 and its sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing B and the periphery of the body, as well as the firm anchoring of the slips 24, 12 against the wall of the well casing. The parts are held in the positions just referred to by preventing relative downward movement of the body 10 after the upwardly directed force has been removed, as by providing a split lock ring 27 in an internal groove 28 in the upper expander 20, which will engage one of the downwardly facing circumferential ratchet teeth 29 formed in the periphery of the body. The lock ring 27 and the ratchet teeth 29 will permit upward movement of the body 10 relative to the lock ring and the upper expander 20, but downward relative movement of the body is precluded.

The setting tool D, E is utilized to effect anchoring of the well packer in packed-off condition within the Well casing, such tool imposing an upward directed force on the body 10 and reactively imposing a downwardly directed force on the upper set of slips 24, as by preventing upward movement of the latter. The upwardly directed force on the body is transmitted through a tension mandrel or rod 30 which projects into the body passage 31, and which is secured to the body through the agency of a releasable stud 32 threaded into the lower end of the rod 30 and into a plug 33 threadedly secured to the body 10, in order to close the passage 31 therethrough. The stud has an intermediate reduced diameter portion 34 at which the stud will be disrupted when subjected to a predetermined tensile strain.

The'mandrel 30 extends upwardly to a substantial ex tent above the upper end of the body 10, its upper end being threadedly secured to a sub 35, which is, in turn, threadedly attached to the lower housing portion 36 of the jarring mechanism E, which is intended to deliver upwardly directed blows onto the jar housing 37 and the tension mandrel or rod 30.

Upward movement of the upper slips 24 is prevented by their engagement with the lower end of a setting sleeve 38 having an inwardly directed flange or end wall 39 slidable on the rod 30. A setting expander 40 is secured to the setting sleeve 38, this setting expander consisting of a lower circumferential continuous expander skirt 41 attached to the setting sleeve 38, as by means of one or more screws 42. The expander member has an upper expander portion 43 provided with external tapered surfaces 44 inclined in an inward and upward direction. The expander portion 43 is able to move or flex laterally to a certain extent by providing circumferentially spaced longitudinal slots 45 therethrough separating the expander into segments 43, which can shift f inwardly to some extent as well as outwardly to some extent. Initially, the cylindrical inner surfaces 46 of the expander segments 43 engage a cylindrical backing portion 47 formed on a tubular control member or mandrel 48 encompassing the tension rod30. The backing portion 47, when disposed behind the expander segments prevents the latter from moving inwardly. As explained hereinbelow, when the control member 48 is moved upwardly with respect to the expander, itslcylindrical backing portion 47 is disposed above the upper end of theexpander sicn rod has an upwardly facing shoulder 52 thereon adapted to engage the lower end of the nut 50 after the setting tool D has been released from the bridge plug A, in order that upward movement of the rod 30 can be transferred to the control member 48, shifting the latter in an upward direction relative to the expander 40.

The split control expander 40 is adapted to coa-ct with segmental setting slips 53 disposed around the control member or mandrel 48 for the purpose of preventing upward movement of the setting sleeve 38 relative to the well conduit or casing B. These slips 53 are mounted in circumferentia-lly spaced slots 54- in a slip ring 55, and are coupled against longitudinal movement with respect to each other by a retaining ring 56 encompassing the slips and disposed in grooves 57 in the slip members, this ring being adapted to engage a lower flange 58 of the slip ring to prevent downward movement of the slips 53 relative to the slip ring 55. Upward movement of the slips 53 with respect to each other is prevented by their engagement with the lower end of a guide 59 slidab'ly mounted on the control mandrel 48, this guide being suitably attached to the slip ring, as by means of one or more longitudinally extending screws 60. The upper end 61 of the guide 59 is tapered in an upward and inward direction to prevent the slip structure from hanging up on casing collar recesses, and the like, in the string of well casing B. l

The slip members 53 are of a composite type, including lower gripping portions 62 having inner surfaces 63 tapering in an upward and inward direction and adapted to be engaged by the control expander. 40, which will urge the gripping portions 62 into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing B to prevent their upward movement therealong. The slips 53 also include upper drag portions 64 frictionally engageable with the wall of the well casing, such frictional engagement resulting from outwardly directed force exerted by helical compression springs 65 disposed in each slot 54 and hearing against the base of each slot and against the base of slip sockets 66 in which the springs are disposed. The slip members 53 are rockable on the wall of the well casing. When the springs 65 are permitted to engage the friction drag portions 64 fully with the wall of the well casing, the lower gripping portions 62 are disposed inwardly out of engagement with the wall of the well casing B. However, when the control expander 40 is moved upwardly behind the gripping portions 62, as described hereinbelow, the slips 53 are rocked on the lower ends of their drag portions 64 against the force of the spring to shift the gripping portions 62 into anchoring engagement with the well casing. 7

Normally, the control or setting slips 53 are disposed a substantial distance above the control expander 40. They will tend to occupy. such position above the control expander during lowering of the apparatus in the well casing because of the frictional engagement of the drag portions 64 against the casing. When the control memthe control member which can prevent anchoring of the slips 53 against the well casing upon upward movement 'of the running-in string C and the control member 48, or

which can permit such result. The control device can also be manipulated to withdraw the apparatus from the well bore without setting the bridge plug A, the control expander 40 being prevented from .wedging behind the slips 53 despite upward movement of the control member 48 and expander 40. At anytime, the. parts can be placed in a condition in which wedging of the expander 40 behind the slips 53 can occur.

As specifically disclosed, the slip guide 59 has a key or pin 70 mounted in a radial bore 72 therein which is adapted to ride in a complex trackway or slot 71 provided in the exterior of the control member or mandrel 48. This key 70 is urged in an inward direction by a helical compression spring 73 bearing against the base of a key socket 74, with its outer end engaging a retaining ring 75 encompassing the guide and extending across the outer end of the radial bore 72 therein. This retaining ring 75 may extend below the lower end of the guide 59 and across the slip ring slots 54 so as to form a stop limiting outward movement of the slips 53 under the influence of the compression springs 65. The key spring 73 allows some radial movement of the key 70 in the radial bore 72 so that the key can accommodate itself to different depths of portions of the track or slot 71 formed in the control member 48.

The trackway 71 in the control member is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 2. It includes an upper longitudinally extending running-in portion 76 which terminates in a lower inclined surface 77 directed to the right, as seen in FIG. 2, this surface forming lower end of a tapered slot portion 78 that terminates in a non-setting or retracting longitudinal slot portion 79 disposed to the right of the running-in slot portion 76. The retracting slot portion 79 extends longitudinally in an upward direction and merges into an inclined slot or track portion 80 which is inclined in an upward direction to the right, as seen in FIG. 2, the upper end of the inclined slot being defined by a tapered side 81 of the slot, the tapered slot 80 itself merging into a longitudinal releasing slot portion 82 which extends from the tapered slot portion in both an upward and a downward direction. The upper end of the releasing slot portion 82 merges into a recycling or repeating slot portion 83, which is inclined in an upward direction toward the running-in portion 76 into which it merges. The lower portion of the releasing slot 82 merges into a slot portion 84 which is inclined in a downward direction toward the left, as seen in FIG. 2, this inclined slot portion merging into an actuating or firing longitiudinal slot portion 85 depending therefrom. The upper end of this latter slot portion 85 merges into a recycling or repeating slot portion 86 inclined in an upward direction toward the left, as seen in FIG. 2, this recycling portion having an intermediate longitudinal section 87 that merges into an upper slot portion 88 inclined in an upward direction toward the longitudinal running-in portion 76.

The key or pin 70 is adapted to ride in all portions of the trackway or slot 71. It can move from the upper end of the running-in slot portion 76 down to the retrieving slot portion 79 being prevented from moving into the repeating slot portion 88 by virtue of the fact that the running-in slot portion 76a adjacent the repeating slot portion 88 is slightly deeper than the contiguous repeating slot portion, providing a shallow shoulder 89 against which the side of the pin 70' will ride. Similarly, the retracting slot portion 79 is deeper than the inclined slot portion 78 adjacent thereto, providing a longitudinally extending shoulder 90 to be engaged by the side of the pin to prevent its return movement back into the running-in slot portion 76. Similarly, the portion of the releasing slot 82 adjacent the inclined slot 80 is deeper than such adjacent portion of the inclined slot to provide a longitudinal shoulder 91, preventing return movement of the pin from the releasing slot portion into the tapered slot portion 80. The upper part 76b of the running-in slot portion 76 is also deeper than the adjacent inclined repeating slot portion 83, providing a longitudinal shoulder 92 to be engaged by the pin or key 70' to prevent its return movement into the inclined slot 83. Finally, the slip engaging or firing slot portion 85 is deeper adjacent the lower end of the tapered slot portion 84 to provide a shoulder 93 engageable by the pin to prevent upward return movement of the pin back into the tapered slot portion 84.

The several shoulders 89 to 93 referred to and engage able by the pin 70 are provided merely by tapering the bases of the several slot portions to a slight extent in an outward direction adjacent the shoulders. That is to say, the different tapered slot portions are just made slightly shallower at the points indicated than the adjacent longitudinal slots to prevent the key or pin from inadvertent return movement into the tapered slot portions.

The split expander member 40 can only be moved upwardly into wedging or anchoring engagement with the slips 53 when the key 70 is disposed in the lower setting or firing slot portion of the control member. When the key is disposed in the removing slot portion 79, the apparatus is removable from the well bore without setting the plug A, the expander 40' being retained in a position spaced below the slips 53. During lowering of the apparatus in the well casing, the friction drag portions 64 of the slips bear against the casing wall and tend to hold the slip assembly in an upper position along the control member 48, as limited by engagement of the key 70 with the upper end of the running-in slot portion 76 (position 1 in FIG. 2). When so engaged the control member 48 forces the slips 53 frictionally along the wall of the well casing, with the gripping portions 62 of the slips in retracted position.

When the location in the well casing B is reached at which the well packer A is to be set, it. is merely necessary to move the running-in string C upwardly, which upward movement will be transmitted through the sinker bar F and wire line jar E to the tension rod 30, and through the releasing stud 32 and plug 33 to the body '10 of the tool. From the body of the tool, the upward movement is transmitted through the upper expander 20 to the upper slips 24, and from the latter through the setting sleeve 38 to the control member 48. The frictional engagement of the drag portions 64 Will prevent the control slip assembly from moving upwardly. As a result, the control member 48 is shifted upwardly until the key 70 engages the lower end of the running-in portion 76 of the slot, being guided by the lower tapered wall 77 into the retrieving slot portion 79. When the pin 70 engages the bottom end of such portion (position 2 in FIG. 2), the expander 40 has still not been moved to a sufficient extent to expand the slips 53 against the wall of the well casing.

If at this time the operator decides not. to set the bridge plug A, the apparatus can be removed from the well casing. If however, the plug is to be set, then the runningin string C is lowered, which will result in lowering of all of the apparatus in the well bore, with the exception of the slip assembly 53, 59, etc., and its. key 70, the key then moving relatively upwardly in the retrieving slot portion 79, engaging the tapered wall 81 at its upper end, and being shifted laterally to the left into the releasing slot portion 82. At this time, the running-in string C can either be moved in an upward direotion or in a downward direction. If the operator Wishes to lower the apparatus to a further extent, he need merely lower the running-in string C, which will merely result in the key 70 shifting through the repeating or recycling portion 82, 83 of the slot back to the running-in slot portion 76. Upon its engaging the upper end of this slot portion, the slip assembly will also be forced downwardly through the casing. On the other hand, should the operator decide to set the plug after the pin 70 has been disposed in the releasing slot portion 82, he need merely take an upward pull on the running-in string C, which will move all of the apparatus, with the exception of the slip assembly 53, etc., upwardly within the casing, the control member 48 being moved upwardly along the key 70 until the latter engages the tapered slot portion 84 and is guided laterally into the setting or firing slot portion 85.

During such movement, the expander 40 is shifted upwardly and, if a sufiicient upward movement is now taken (which is permitted by the fact that the pin or key islocated in the setting slot portion 85) (position 4 in FIG. 2), the expander 40 is now moved upwardly within the gripping slip portions 62, shifting the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing (FIG. 4). When such anchoring occurs, the expander 40 and the setting sleeve 38 cannot be moved upwardly to any further extent, which also precludes upward movement of the upper set of slips 24 of the well packer. The tension mandrel or rod 3i) can now be subjected to an upwardly directed force for the purpose of anchoring the well packer A in packed-off condition within the well casing B, in the manner described above.

After the control expander 40 has been wedged behind the control slips 53, and prior to shearing of the screws 25 holding the upper set of packer slips 24 to the upper expander 20, if the operator decides not to set the well packer, he can merely lower the running-in string C, which will lower all of the apparatus with the exception of the control slip assembly 53 to 74 in the Well casing, the expander 40 being moved downwardly out of wedging engagement with the control slips 53 and allowing the springs 65 to rock the slips about their drag portions 64 and shift the gripping portions 62 inwardly away from the wall of the well casing. The lowering movement can occur until the slotted structure 7 1 has moved downwardly along the key 70, the key moving in a relatively upward direction through the repeating portion 86, 87, 88 of the slot and back into the running-in portion 76. If the apparatus is then to be withdrawn from the well bore, the running-in string C need merely be moved upwardly, which will move all portions of the apparatus, with the exception of the control slip assembly, in an upward direction until the key 70 is disposed in the lower end of the retrieving slot portion 79 (position 2 in FIG. 2), whereupon the slip assembly is caused to move upwardly with the remainder of the apparatus.

The apparatus, including the bridge plug A, can either be removed from the well bore or the entire apparatus can be shifted to some other location at which the plug is to be set, after which the running-in string C is again manipulated to place the pin 70 in the setting slot portion 85, in order that the control expander 40 will again shift the control slips 53 into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing, and prevent upward movement of the upper set of bridge plug slips 24.

As disclosed in the drawings, the upward force is impanted to the tension rod or mandrel 30 by the jarring mechanism E. If need be, repeated upwardly directed blows or forces can be imparted on the tension rod 30 for transmission to the body 10 of the tool, in order to fully and properly anchor the well packer A in packedolf condition in the well casing B and release the entire setting mechanism C, D, E, F, G from the set well packer. Such jarring mechanism includes the lower portion 36 of the housing 37, which is secured to the upper sub 35 threadedly attached to the upper end of the tension rod 30. This lower housing portion is threadedly attached to an upper housing portion 100 having an upper housing head 1G1 threadedly secured therein and providing a downward-1y facing shoulder 102. Telescopically mounted within the upper housing portion 100 is a jar mandrel 103, the upper end of which is threadedly secured to a sub 104 which is, in turn, threadedly attached to the sinker bar F.

The lower end of this mandrel 103 is threadedly attached to a jar sleeve 105 which can extend downwardly into the lower jar housing 36. This jar sleeve is provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending circumferentially spaced slots 1% to define flexible beams or struts 107 between the upper and lower ends of the jar sleeve, such beams or struts being capable of deflectfaces 110. The flexible beam portions 107 of the jarring sleeve extend into a control sleeve 111 disposed within the lower housing portion 36. This control sleeve has a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending slots 112, providing flexible arms 113 disposed around the beam portions 10-7 and terminating in upwardly extending latch fingers I114 cooperable with the cam elements 108, and also with a tapered shoulder 1'15 inclined in an upward and inward direction, and a normal shoulder 116, provided by the lower end of the upper housing portion 100. The latch fingers 1414 have outer inclined surfaces 117 engageable with and companion to the tapered housing surface 115, this tapered housing surface terminating at its upper end in the shoulder 116 normal to the axis of the apparatus, which is engageable by a companion end surface 118 on the fingers. The fingers 114 also have inner lower surfaces 119 inclined in inward and upward directions companion to and engageable with the upepr surfaces 109 of the cam elements 108. These fingers have upper inner inclined surfaces 120 engageable by the lower cam surfaces 110. The lower end 121 of the control sleeve 111 is tapered in a downward and inward direction, and is adapted to rest upon a companion tapered surface 122 formed in the lower portion of the lower housing member 36. The control sleeve 111 has a length which is slightly less than the distance between the lower housing shoulder 122 and the upper shoulder 116, in order that the control sleeve can shift downwardly to provide a space between the inclined housing shoulder and the fingers 114 of the arms 113.

The mandrel 103 and the jar sleeve 105 are initially disposed in a lower position with respect to the housing 37. When in this lower position, a hammer or impact head or shoulder 123 on the lower portion of the mandrel is spaced a substantial distance below the companion head 101 of the housing.

The mandrel 103 is disposed in its lower position within the housing 37 by the coengagement of the cam elements 108 with the cam fingers 114, which, in turn, bear against the shoulders 115, 116 of the upper housing portion 100. Such position is illustrated most clearly in FIG. 11. Following the engagement of the expander 40 within the upper slips 53, an upward pull taken on the running-in string C is transmitted through the mandrel 103 and the jarring sleeve 105 to the cam elements 108, and from the latter through the inclined surfaces 109, 119 to the fingers 114, from where the upward force is transmitted to the housing shoulders 115, 116 running from the shoulder through the housing 37 to the tension rod 30. From the latter, the upwardly directed force is transmitted through the release stud 32 to the housing plug 33 and into the body 10, the force then being transmitted through the upper shear screws 21 holding the upper packer expander 20 to the body, and through the upper slip screws 25 to the slips 24 and the setting sleeve 38. The setting sleeve cannot move upwardly, since it is prevented from doing so by the wedging of the expander 40 within the control slips 53. The upwardly directed force on the running-in string C and the jar mandrel 103 can increase. Such upward force tends to deflect the struts or beams 107 inwardly, because of the inclined engagement of the cam surfaces 109 with the spring fingers 114, and when the force becomes sufficient, as, for example, when it reaches a total upward pull of 1500 pounds, the struts 107 are deflected inwardly to the extent at which the cam surfaces 109 are released, such as shown in FIG. 12, whereupon the upwardly directed force, which has suddenly been released, will cause the jar mandrel 103 to be propelled in an upward direction until its hammer portion 123 strikes an impact blow upon the housing head 101. This impact blow is transferred through the housing 37 to the tension rod 30, and from the latter through the release stud 32 and plug 33 to the body 10. It is usually suflicient in extent to shear the screws 25 holding the upper slips 24 to the upper expander 20, causing the body to move upwardly within these upper slips 24 and expanding the latter outwardly into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing. The initial blow may also be sufficient in extent as to shear the screws 21 holding the upper expander to the body 10 and result in movement of the lower expander 16 towards the upper expander 20, to foreshorten the packing sleeve 19 and expand it outwardly into sealing engagement with the wall of the well casing. It may also be sutficient to shear the other screws 17, 18 holding the lower expander 16 to the body and the lower slips 12 to the lower expander and radially outward into anchoring engagement with the wall of the well casing.

Assuming that both the upper and lower sets of slips 24, 12 and the packing sleeve 19 have been brought into engagement with the well casing, the release stud 32 is still intact. Another blow may be struck by the jarring mechanism E to still further embed the packer slips in the well casing and seal the packing sleeve more firmly against the wall of the well packer and against the periphery of the body 10. All that need be done is to recock or reset the jarring mechanism E, which action can occur merely by lowering the running-in string C which will lower the jar mandrel 103 and bring the lower surfaces 110 of the cams 108 against the upper ends 120 of the fingers 114, such as disclosed in FIG. 13. Following release of the cams 108 from the surfaces 119 as a result of upward movement of the jar mandrel 103, the control sleeve 111 has dropped downwardly into engagement with the lower portion 122 of the lower housing 36, leaving a space between the fingers 114 and the upper housing shoulders 115', 116 (FIG. 13). Accordingly, and particularly since the arms 113 are rather flexible, the downward movement of the flexible beams 107 and the cams 108 along the fingers 114 will deflect the arms 113 outwardy very readily, since only a comparatively slight force is required, the lower cam surfaces 110 performing this action until the cams 108 are again disposed under the cam fingers 114 (FIG. 14). The wire line B and the jar mandrel 103 can then be raised, the upper cam surfaces 109 engaging the lower finger surfaces 119 and elevating the control sleeve 111 until the fingers 114 again engage the housing shoulders 1 15, 116 in the manner described in FIG. 11. Such upward movement will not deflect the arms 113 outwardly, since the angle of taper of the upper cam surfaces 109 is not as steep as the angle of taper of the lower cam surfaces L10.

An upwardly directed force can again be imposed upon the wire line C and the jar mandrel 113, until the beam-s 107 are again deflected inwardly to release their cams 108 from the fingers 114, the hammer head 123 moving upwardly rapidly and striking another blow against the housing head 101, which is transmitted through the tension rod or mandrel 30 and the release stud 32 to the body 10, and to the several slips and packing portions of the apparatus surrounding the body, to more firmly expand the slips 24, 12 into anchoring engagement with the well casing and the packing sleeve 19 into sealing engagement with the well casing B and the packer body. The jar mandrel 103 can again be lowered to the resetting condition, and then raised, repeated impact blows being delivered through the tension rod 30 and the release stud 32, to secure the firm and positive anchoring in packedolf condition of the well packer A with respect to the casing. When such positive setting of the well packer has been realized, an impact blow will eventually overcome the tensile strength of the release stud 32, disrupting the latter at its reduced diameter portion 34 and freeing the setting tool from the bridge plug. The setting tool C, D, E, F, G can now be Withdrawn from the well bore. However, before such withdrawal can occur, the control expander 40 must be released from anchoring engagement behind the control slips 53.

Following disruption of the release stud 32, runningin string C, sinker bar F, and jar mandrel 103 are elevated, the hammer head 123 engaging the housing shoulder head 102 and elevating the housing 37. Such elevating action will also raise the tension rod 30 until the rod shoulder 52 engages the nut 50 on the control member or mandrel 48, shifting such control member or mandrel upwardly within the slip assembly 53, etc., and also within the split expander member 40. The backing portion 47 of the control member is shifted upwardly of the split member 43 of the expander 40 until it is disposed above its upper end. When so disposed, there is no support behind the Slip expander segments 43, which then retract slightly with respect to the gripping portions 62 of the slips 53, allowing the latter to be shifted inwardly by the springs 65 from the well casing. The upper shoulder 1'25 of the backing portion engages the lower end of the slip ring 55 and will then carry the slip assembly upwardly with the control mandrel 48. When the control mandrel 48 moves upwardly, an inner lower shoulder 126 formed thereon will engage the outwardly directed fingers 127 of a retrieving sleeve 128, which are provided at the upper end of arms 129 that are formed in the retrieving sleeve by a plurality of circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending slots 130 therein. The lower end of this retrieving sleeve 128 is threadedly, or otherwise secured, to the setting sleeve flange 39. Accordingly, upward movement of the control member 48 will cause the outer shoulder 125 to engage the slip sleeve 55 and raise the setting slips 53 upwardly therewith. At the same time, the inner shoulder 126 will engage the fingers 127 of the retrieving sleeve 128 raising such re trieving sleeve, the setting sleeve 38, and the slip expander member 40 therewith. The entire setting apparatus can now be elevated in the well casing and withdrawn from the well bore, leaving the bridge plug A anchored in packed-oif condition in the well casing B.

The inventor claims:

1. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the Wall of the well conduit: a member attached to the body; means adapted to engage the Well conduit and the normally retracted means to resist longitudinal movement of the normally retracted means in the well conduit; jarring means connected to said member to strike a blow transmitted to said member and t0 the well device to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the Well conduit while said resisting means engages the well conduit and the normally retracted means; and means on said member engageable with said resisting means for withdrawing said resisting means from the well conduit after said normally retracted means has been expanded against the well conduit.

2. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a member attached to the body; means adapted to engage the well conduit and the normally retracted means to resist longitudinal movement of the normally retracted means in the well conduit in one direction; jarring means connected to said member to strike a blow in said one direction transmitted to said member and the well device to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said resisting means engages the well conduit and the normally retracted means; and means on said member engageable with said resisting means for withdrawing said resisting means from the well conduit 1 1 after said normally retracted means has been expanded against the well conduit.

3. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a member attached to the body; means adapted to engage the well conduit and the normally retracted means to resist upward movement of the normally retracted means in the well conduit; jarring means connected to said member to strike an upwardly directed blow which is transmitted to said member and the well device to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said resisting means engages the well conduit and the normally retracted means; and means on said member engageable with said resisting means for withdrawing said resisting means from the well conduit after said normally retracted means has been expanded against the well conduit.

4. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a member; means releasably securing said member to the body; means adapted to engage the well conduit and the normally retracted means to resist longitudinal movement of the normally retracted means in the well conduit; jarring means connected to said member to strike a blow transmitted to said member, releasable means and well device to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit and to release said releasable means while said resisting means engages the well conduit and the normally retracted means; and means on said member engageable with said resisting means for withdrawing said resisting means from the well conduit after said normally retracted means has been expanded against the well conduit.

5. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a member; means releasably securing said member to the body; means adapted to engage the well conduit and the normally retracted means to resist upward movement of the normally retracted means in the well conduit; jarring means connected to said member to strike an upwardly directed blow which is transmitted to said member, releasable means and well device to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit and to release said releasable means while said resisting means engages the well conduit and the normally retracted means; and means on said member engageable with said resisting means for withdrawing said resisting means from the well conduit after said normally retracted means has been expanded against the well conduit.

6. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a member attached to the body; means adapted to be anchored to the well conduit and engageable with the normally retracted means to prevent longitudinal movement of the normally retracted means in the well conduit in one direction; jarring means connected to said member to strike a blow in said one direction which is transmitted to said member, the well device and its normally retracted means to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said anchoring means engages the well conduit and the normally retracted means; and means on said member engageable with said anchoring means for withdrawing said anchoring means from the well conduit after said normally retracted means has been expanded against the well conduit.

7. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a member attached to the body; normally retracted gripping means adapted to be anchored to the well conduit; means engageable with the normally retracted means and coacting with said gripping means to expand said gripping means against thewell conduit to prevent longitudinal movement of the normally retracted means in one direction; control means connected to said gripping means and expanding means for selectively preventing or permitting such expansion of said gripping means; and jarring means connected to said member to strike a blow in said one direction which is transmitted to said member, the well device and its normally retracted means to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said gripping means is anchored to the well conduit.

8. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the Wall of the well conduit: a member attached to the body; normally retracted gripping means adapted to be anchored to the well conduit against upward movement; means engageable with the normally retracted means and coacting with said gripping means to expand said gripping means against the well conduit to prevent upward movement of the normally retracted means in one direction; control means connected to said gripping means and expanding means for selectively preventing or permitting such expansion of said gripping means; and jarring means connected to said member to strike an upwardly directed blow which is transmitted to said member, the well device and its normally retracted means to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said gripping means is anchored to the well conduit.

9. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a member; means releasab ly securing said member to the body; normally retracted gripping means adapted to be anchored to the well conduit against upward movement therewithin; means engageable with the normally retracted means and coacting with said gripping means to expand said gripping means against the well conduit to prevent upward move ment of the normally retracted means; control means connected to said gripping means and expanding means for selectively preventing or permitting such expansion of said gripping means; and jarring means connected to said member to strike an upwardly directed blow which is transmitted to said member, releasable means, the well device and its normally retracted means to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said gripping means is anchored to the well conduit and to release said releasable means.

10. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a member; means releasably securing said member to the body; normally retracted gripping means adapted to be anchored to the well conduit against upward movement therewithin; means engageable with the normally retracted means and coacting with said gripping means to expand said gripping means against the well conduit to prevent upward movement of the normally retracted means; control means connected to said gripping means and expanding means for selectively preventing or permitting such expansion of said gripping means; jarring means connected to said member to strike an upwardly directed blow which is transmitted to said member, releasable means, the well device and its normally retracted means to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said gripping means is anchored to the well conduit and to release said releasable means; and means 13 for retracting said gripping means from the well conduit after release of said releasable means.

11. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit; a member adapted to be attached to the body; normally retracted slips adapted to be anchored to the well conduit; expander means engageable with the normally retracted means and engageable with said slips to expand said slips against the well conduit to prevent longitudinal movement of the normally retracted means in one direction; control means connected to said slips and expander means for selectively preventing or permitting such expansion of said slips; and jarring means connected to said member to strike a blow in said one direction which is transmitted to said member, the well device and its normally retracted means to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said slips are anchored to the well conduit.

12. In apparatus for setting a well device in a Well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a member; means releasably attaching said member to the body; normally retracted slips adapted to be anchored to the well conduit against upward movement therewithin; expander means engageable with the normally retracted means and engageable with said slips to expand said slips against the well conduit to prevent upward movement of the normally retracted means; control means connected to said slips and expander means for selectively preventing or permitting such expansion of said slips; and j-arning means connected to said member to strike an upwardly directed blow which is transmitted to said member, releasable means, the Well device and its normally retracted means to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said slips are anchored to the well conduit and to release said releasable means.

13. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the Wall of the well conduit: a member; means releasably attaching said member to the body; normally retracted slips adapted to be anchored to the well conduit against upward movement therewithin; expander means engageable with the normally retracted means and engageabtle with said slips to expand said slips against the well conduit to prevent upward movement of the normally retracted means; control means connected to said slips and expander means for selectively preventing or permitting such expansion of said slips; jarring means connected to said member to strike an upwardly directed blow which is transmitted to said member, releasable means, the well device and its normally retracted means to expand the normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said slips are anchored to the well conduit and to release said releasable means; and means for releasing said slips from said expander means to permit retraction of said slips.

14. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means on said body adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a mandrel attached to the body; a control member surrounding said mandrel; normally retracted slip means on said member adapted to be anchored to the well conduit; expander means on said member engageable with the normally retracted means and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit to prevent longitudinal movement of the normally retracted means in one direction; coengageable means on said control member and slip means adapted to occupy one relative position to prevent said expander means from expanding said slip means and another relative position to permit such expansion; and jarring means connected to said mandrel to strike a blow in said one direction which is transmitted to said mandrel and body to expand said normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said slip means is anchored to the well conduit.

15. In apparatus for setting a well device in a wall conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means on said body adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a mandrel attached to the body; a control member surrounding said mandrel; normally retracted slip means on said member adapted to be anchored to the well conduit; expander means or said member engageable with the normally retracted means and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit to prevent longitudinal movement of the normally retracted means in one direction; backing means on said member behind said expander means to retain said expander means engaged with said slip means; coengageable means on said control member and slip means adapted to occupy one relative position to prevent said expander means from expanding said slip means and another rclative position to permit such expansion; jarring means connected to said mandrel to strike a blow in said one direction which is transmitted to said mandrel and body to expand said normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said slip means is anchored to the well conduit; and means for moving said backing means from behind said expander means to permit retraction of said expander means from said slip means.

16. In apparatus for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means on said body adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit; a mandrel; means releasably securing said mandrel to the body; a control member surrounding said mandrel; normally retracted slip means on said member adapted to be anchored to the well conduit against upward movement therewithin; expander means on said member engageable with the normally retracted means and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit to prevent upward movement of the normally retracted means; backing means on said member behind said expander means to retain said expander means engaged with said slip means; coengageable means on said control member and slip means adapted to occupy one relative position to prevent said expander means from expanding said slip means and another relative position to permit such expansion; jarring means connected to said mandrel to strike an upwardly directed blow which is transmitted to said mandrel, releasable means and body to expand said normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said slip means is anchored to the well conduit and to release said releasable means; and means for moving said backing means from behind said expander means to permit retraction of said expander means from said slip means.

17. In apparatus for for setting a well device in a well conduit, which device includes a body and normally retracted means on said body adapted to be expanded laterally outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well conduit: a mandrel; means releasably securing said mandrel to the body; a control member surrounding said mandrel; normally retracted slip means on said member adapted to be anchored to the well conduit against upward movement therewithin; an expansible and contractible expander on said member engageable with the normally retracted means and engageable with said slip means to expand said slip means against the well conduit to prevent upward movement of the normally retracted means; backing means on said member adapted to be disposed behind said expander to prevent its contraction; coengageable means on said control member and slip means adapted to occupy one relative position to prevent said expander from expanding said slip means and another relative position to permit such expansion; jarring means connected to said mandrel to strike an upwardly directed blow which is transmitted to said mandrel, releasablemeans and body to expand said normally retracted means against the wall of the well conduit while said slip means is anchored to the well conduit and re lease said releasable means; and means on said mandrel engageable with said member following release of said releasable means, for moving said backing means from behind said expander.

' 18. In well apparatus: slip means adapted to be expanded outwardly and anchored to the wall of a Well conduit; an expandible and contractible expander engageable with said slip means to hold said slip means anchored to the conduit wall, said expander having an inner surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expander; backing means adapted to be disposed behind said expander and having an outer surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expander and engaging said inner surface to prevent contraction of said expander; means for jointly moving said backing means and expander in the same longitudinal direction relative to said slip means to expand said slip means against the wall of the well conduit; and means for moving said backing means from behind said expander to allow said expander to contract and release said slip means from the conduit wall.

19. In well apparatus: slip means adapted to be expanded outwardly and anchored to the wall of a well conduit; an expandibie and contractible expander engageable with said slip means to hold said slip means anchored to the conduit Wall, said expander having an inner surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expander; backing means adapted to be disposed behind said expander and having an outer surface parallel to the 1ongitudinal axis of the expander and engaging said inner surface to prevent contraction of said expander; means for jointly moving said backing means and expander in the same longitudinal direction relative to said slip means to expand said slip means against the wall of the well conduit; means for moving said backing means longitudinally from behind said expander to permit contraction of said expander; and means coupling said backing means and expander for joint longitudinal movement in the Well conduit following movement of said backing means from behind said expander.

20. In well apparatus: slip means adapted to be expanded outwardly and anchored to the wall of a well conduit; an expander member having circumferentially spaced longitudinally extending slots therein to provide expandible and contractible expander segments engageable with said slip means to hold said slip means anchored to the conduit Wall, said expander segments having an inner surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expander; backing means adapted to be disposed behind said segments and having an outer surface parallel to the longitudinal axis of the expander and engaging said inner surface to prevent contraction of said expander segments; means for jointly moving said backing means and expander member in the same longitudinal direction relative to said slip means to expand said slip means against the Wall of the well conduit; and means for shifting said backing means from behind said segments to permit their contraction and release of said slip means from the conduit wall.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,143,349 Hobbs Jan. 10, 1939 2,389,869 Phipps Nov. 27, 1945 2,392,244 Hooser Jan. 1, 1946 2,566,323 Forsyth et al. Sept. 4, 1951 2,605,843 Baker Aug. 5, 1952 2,678,101 Thaxton May 11, 1954 2,690,228 Baker Sept. 28, 1954 2,751,017 Baker et al June 19, 1956 2,901,046 Webber Aug. 25, 1959 

